Marin trails plan forum draws cordial crowd

An evolving plan regulating activity on county trails seemed to find common ground Thursday as many in a parade of hikers, bikers and equestrians told Marin parks commissioners they want to work with officials on a program that makes sense.

But several said it will be a daunting task to corral recreational users that include a handful of mountain bikers who have stained the sport by trashing the environment while creating a "plate of spaghetti" trail system they regard as their own backyard.

"I think you have an impossible task," Jim Hill of Fairfax told the county Parks and Open Space Commission. "I don't think there is any effective compromise that will protect the environment."

But Commissioner Dennis Scremin disagreed, saying, "I do not believe it is impossible at all. ... Hopefully we will be able to incorporate all we have heard today" in the next draft of the trails document. "It's a work in progress."

The plan will be revised this spring, and might be discussed at a commission meeting in March, before a final draft is presented to county supervisors during public hearings next summer.

"It's not 1969 anymore," said parks director Linda Dahl. "We are seeing all kinds of changes and challenges." The few who do not follow the rules make it worse for all others, she said.

Regarding trail scofflaws, "these are not bad boys on weekends," Dahl said. "It's people coming in with lunch buckets at midnight."

At French Ranch in San Geronimo, she said, those who built an illegal 2.5-mile trail cut down 67 trees in the process.

Thursday's "informational" session dealing with the merits of the trails plan was an oddity because it leapfrogged the environmental impact process, a situation that could pose legal peril. After time for public comment on the plan's environmental report ended, parks staff bowed to protests from people who took issue with merits of the plan by softening several proposals.

Commission chairman Greg Zitney called the situation "kind of unprecedented," saying the impact report may have to be resubmitted for a new round of review.

Parks officials are consulting with county lawyers to determine how to proceed. "I am happy to hear you are consulting with counsel," Zitney told the staff.

Thursday's session, which was held at the county Civic Center, keyed on changes to the plan following a cascade of public commentary. The revisions allow hikers to walk off roads and trails — unless they are accompanied by dogs. Hikers with dogs, and all equestrians and bicyclists, will not be allowed to venture off roads and trails.

The revised plan outlines a public process that will designate an official road and trail system. Existing roads and trails that do not become part of the system will be closed as time allows. The revised document also simplifies and clarifies a number of proposals.

In sharp contrast to a contentious, sometimes raucous session last year, the plan drew a largely favorable reaction from a cordial crowd of 75, and representatives of various organizations among the two dozen speakers who took to the podium said they looked forward to helping craft the final plan.

A note of discord was sounded by several in the mountain biking community who said the county is limiting use of trails by cyclists.

Parks officials "seem to be vehemently anti-mountain biker," said Rich Cerick of Fairfax. "I'm reminded of the 1950s when motorcyclists were viewed as outlaws."

Representatives of biking groups tempered their comments, noting that despite a grim slide show unveiled at the meeting by parks officials of illegal trails and environmental degradation by bike "jump" enthusiasts, most bikers were law abiding citizens who care for the environment.

"You listened to what people have to say," Michael Kelley of the International Mountain Biking Association told parks staff. "We've seen some change, flexibility and willingness to compromise."

Stan Dennison of Novato, speaking for Access4Bikes, called the plan's revisions a "momentous step in the right direction" and expressed hope the cycling community will be treated fairly.

Equestrians called safety a priority, urged bicycling to be limited and called for enforcement of a 15 mph speed limit. Equestrian Connie Berto of Sleepy Hollow urged the licensing of bicycles and called for safety standards and enforcement specifics.

"The plan is too vague as far as trail use goes and enforcement goes," she said.

Eric Moray of Woodacre balked at regulations requiring the leashing of dogs, saying "well behaved off-leash dogs (accompanied by) their owners" were being "criminalized" as lawbreakers.

"Please rethink your off-leash dog policy," he said.

Fairfax Councilman John Reed expressed the town's interest in the plan, and added that while residents have concerns, "we're very encouraged by the proactive stance being taken here."

Conservationists chimed in as well. "Resource conservation is the number one priority of the plan," said Nona Dennis of the Marin Conservation League. "What we are hearing from people pushing back on this plan is more, more, more," she said, referring to cyclists who want more bike trails.